There are two basic routes to getting a PhD. One involves first getting a Masters degree and then moving on to a PhD. The other involves finding a MA/PhD combined program where you end up doing both, but if you fail to complete the PhD you are still awarded the Masters as a parting gift. The second method is called being fully-funded…getting paid to be a student.

I have never put serious thought into the combination MA/PhD, but I have sure looked at hundreds of Masters degrees.

I will spend some time today looking up combination MA/PhD degrees.

Wish me luck!